Ornament

ABSTRACT

An ornament system comprising: a base, a lid, and a hinge. The base and lid are substantially hemispherical and are connected via a hinge. When in a closed configuration, the hemispheric base and lid may meet at their widest points, creating a substantially spherical appearance. The inside of the base may contain an inset mount which may be configured to hold a piece of jewelry. Beneath the inset mount may be an inset mount base which contains a stabilization weight that, in conjunction with a flat portion on the bottom end of the base, substantially prevent the ornament system from falling over.

FIELD OF USE

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of holiday ornaments, and more specifically, to a holiday ornament configured to rest on a flat surface and comprise an accessible hollow cavity.

BACKGROUND

Holiday ornaments have been used to decorate holiday trees for centuries, and modern ornaments often comprise a glass or plastic body. Some of the first holiday ornaments were simply apples or other fruits with strings attached, allowing the ornaments to be displayed on a Christmas tree.

As the popularity of decorating Christmas trees increased, glass-blowers began crafting the spherical ornaments that are still placed on Christmas today. These new types of holiday ornaments were popularized in the late 1800s and they have become a symbol that is closely associated with the holidays.

Holiday ornaments are typically a simple decorative element, occasionally incorporating additional components such as lights or symbolic representations. In many cases, the ornaments are spheroid in shape, referencing the originally used apples and other fruit.

One problem with typical holiday ornaments is that they are not stable when placed on a flat surface, and are largely non-functional beyond their aesthetic qualities.

Holidays are also a time to exchange presents, which are often kept hidden before the actual holiday. Sometimes this results in packages being stowed away in places where the gift giver thinks the gift receiver will not look. Jewelry is a common present, and, as such, may often be sought out soon in advance of a holiday so as to not pay the holiday premium prices.

Thus, what is needed is an ornament that is stable on flat surfaces and can take advantage of its relatively hollow interior, allowing small gifts to be hidden in plain sight inside the ornament.

SUMMARY

To minimize the limitations in the cited references, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present specification discloses a new and improved packing device for consumable materials.

One embodiment of the ornament may comprise a base and a lid; wherein the base comprises a substantially flat bottom portion; wherein the base comprises a weighted portion; and wherein the base and the lid are hingedly connected. The may be configured to be near the bottom of the base. The base and the lid may be substantially hemispherical. The base may comprise an inset mount; wherein the base may be configured to substantially contain an inset mount base; and wherein the inset mount may be configured to rest upon the inset mount base. The lid may contain an insert. The surface of the insert and a top surface of the inset mount may comprise a soft material. The inset mount may comprise one or more holes. The base may comprise a plurality mounting prongs configured to support the inset mount base. The lid may connect to a cap. The cap may connect to a hanger. When the lid and base are in a closed position, the lid may rest flush or substantially flush against the base.

The ornament of the present disclosure may comprise a substantially hemispheric lid and a substantially hemispheric base that are connected via a hinge such that when the hinge is in a closed position, the ornament is substantially spherical. The lips of the base and lid create an angle near the hing such that, when in an open position, the angled portions meet, creating an area where the lid may rest on the base in a manner similar to a miter joint. The bottom of the base may have a planar surface, substantially preventing the ornament from rolling when placed on a flat surface. Additionally, a weight may be added to the bottom-front portion of the base. As the weight lowers the center of gravity for the ornament, it will improve the overall stability. Further, because the weight is placed on the opposite side of the hinge, it acts as a counterbalance when the ornament is in the open position, counteracting the change to the center of gravity caused by the displacement of the lid. In this manner, the weight prevents the ornament from rolling in the direction of the lid. Inside of the base may be an inset mount which creates a shelf. In the preferred embodiment, jewelry may be stored on the inset mount. Additionally, there may be a plurality of holes in the inset mount that allow small portions of a piece of jewelry to enter e.g. the post of an earring. In this manner, the piece of jewelry may be substantially held in place.

Other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show illustrative embodiments, but do not depict all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted for the purpose of saving space or for more effective illustrations. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without some or all components or steps provided in the illustrations. When different drawings contain the same numeral, that numeral refers to the same or similar components or steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front elevation view of one embodiment of the ornament in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a rear elevation view of one embodiment of the ornament in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a front perspective view of one embodiment of the ornament in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the ornament in a partially open configuration.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the ornament.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the embodiments. However, the embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedures and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

While some embodiments are disclosed here, other embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art as a result of the following detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications of various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. The Figures, and their detailed descriptions, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is “substantially” located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term “approximately” and “about”, may refer to a deviance of between 0.001-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front elevation view of one embodiment of the ornament in a closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the ornament 100 may comprise a hanger 110, cap 120, lid 130, base 140, and decorative component 150.

The lid 130 of the ornament may substantially form the shape of a hemisphere. The top pole of the sphere may contain a slot which may engage the cap 120. The cap 120 may engage a slot in the top pole such that the friction from the cap against the slot prevents removal of the cap 120 from the lid 130. The hanger 110 may attach to the cap 120. In a preferred embodiment, the hanger 110 may be a loop of ribbon. Other embodiments, however, may use metallic, plastic, string, or other materials to create a hanger for the ornament. A decorative component 150 may also be placed onto the lid 130. In one embodiment, the decorative component 150 may comprise a ribbon or other decorative element. The base 140 of the ornament may be substantially flat at a bottom portion such that the ornament may resist rolling when placed on a flat surface. The lid 130 and base 140 of the ornament may converge at a point where the diameters of both the lid 130 and base 140 are substantially similar, such that, when the lid 130 and base 140 are in a close position, the ornament appears as a relatively standard holiday ornament that often adorns Christmas trees. Although the ornament 100 shows only a decorative component 150 on the lid, there may be many other decorative components, including those on the base 140. FIG. 1 shows a seam between the lid 130 and base 140, but this seam may be substantially disguised or hidden from view.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a rear elevation view of one embodiment of the ornament in a closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the ornament 100 may further comprise a hinge 210, and hinge cover 220. The lid 130 and base 140 may be hingedly connected by the hinge 210. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge 210 is a butt hinge, with one leaf attached to the lid 130 and the other leaf attached to the base 140. At the rear of great circle ends of the lid 130 and base 140, the lid 130 and base 140 may taper away from the hinge 210, such that when the lid 130 and base 140 hingedly move away from each other, the tapered portions of the lid 130 and base 140 do not impede movement of one another. When the lid 130 is opened relative to the base 140 by the hinge 210, the tapered portions may allow the rear of the great circle ends of the lid 130 and base 140 to rest substantially flush against each other. A hinge cover 220 may substantially conceal the hinge 210 when the ornament is viewed from the front in an open configuration.

Although FIG. 2 shows the hinge 210 clearly from an outside view, it may be preferred to disguise or hid the hinge so that a viewer cannot tell that ornament 100 is a secret container.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a front perspective view of one embodiment of the ornament in an open configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, the ornament 100 may further comprise an insert 310, inset mount 320, and liner 350.

The lid 130 may contain the insert 310, which may be substantially flush with the great circle end of the lid 130. The base 140 may contain an inset mount 320 on which a user may place small items. Further the inset mount 320 may comprise a plurality of holes 330. Small items, such as earrings and other jewelry, may be threaded through the holes 330, or otherwise secured to the holes 330 to prevent movement. For example, an item that cannot be threaded into the holes 330 on their own may be held substantially in place by thread, which may be tied through the holes 330. The inset mount 320 may also comprise a pull tab 340. The user may pull on the pull tab 340 in order to disengage the inset mount 320 from the base 140. This may allow a user to access the underside of the inset mount 320. The insert 310 and inset mount 320, along with other surfaces in the ornament 100 may comprise a soft material, such as a velvet, satin, silk, or other soft to the touch material.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the ornament in a partially open configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, the tapered portions of the lid 130 and base 140 may configured to allow the lid 130 and base 140 to be opened relative to one another.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exploded view of one embodiment of the ornament. As shown in FIG. 5, the ornament 100 may further comprise a cap hole 380, inset mount base 510, and weighted portion 530.

The inset mount base 510 may comprise compression joints 520. The base 140 may comprise mounting prongs 540 and a hinge slot 550.

The hanger 110 may be connected to the cap 120 which may connect to the lid 130 through the cap hole 380. An insert 310 may be placed inside of the lid 130 in a manner that obscures the user's view of the empty or hollow lid 130. The base 140 may comprise mounting prongs 540 upon which the inset mount base 510 may rest. The weighted portion 530 may be affixed to or otherwise be held in place at the bottom of the inset mount base 510. The weighted portion 530 may also be affixed to any portion of the base 140 and any component connected, directly or indirectly, to the base 140. Alternatively, the weighted portion 530 may be a component embedded or a part of the base 140. In yet another alternative embodiment, any component of the ornament 100 may have an increased weight in order to include the weighted portion 530 as a component of itself. The weighted portion 530 functions to lower to center of gravity of the ornament 100, such that the ornament 100 may be more stable. The weighted portion 530 may be any material, and may preferably a heavy material such as a metal. The weighted portion 530 may be mechanically or adhesively affixed to any component of the base 140.

The combination of the weighted portion 530 located toward a lower portion of the base 140 and the substantially flat bottom portion 142 of the base 140 may work in tandem to create an ornament that appears substantially spheroidal, yet may be stable on flat surfaces, such as a check-out counter at a retail store. Furthermore, this combination of weighted portion 530 and substantially flat bottom portion 142 may allow a user to not only place an item on the inset mount 320, but the user may also open the lid 130 without the ornament 100 being likely to roll away, thereby allowing the user to display what is placed inside the ornament 100.

In one embodiment, when the inset mount base 510 is inserted into the ornament, the location of the weighted portion 530 lowers the center of gravity of the ornament, thus increasing overall stability of the ornament 100. The inset mount base may also comprise compression joints 520, which allow the outer rim of the inset mount base to contract when placed into the base 140. In a preferred embodiment, the inset mount base 510 material may be capable of exerting an outward force against the base 140, thereby increasing the friction and substantially preventing the inset mount base 510 from displacement. A liner 350 may be placed around the upper-inside lip of the base 140. The liner 350 may provide an aesthetic improvement when compared with the material of the base 140.

The base 140 and lid 130 may contain hinge slots 550. The hinge 210 may be shaped in such a manner that the hinge slots receive the hinge 210 and substantially secure the hinge 210 to the lid 130 and base 140. When the hinge 210 is fully in place, friction between the hinge 210 and hinge slot 550 may substantially keep the hinge 210 in place. The hinge cover 220 may rest upon the base, behind both the inset mount base 510 and the insert 310. Because the inset mount base 510 and insert 320 may be substantially flush against the back edges of the base 140 and lid 130, the hinge cover 220 may be frictionally held in place without the need for additional mechanical attachments. In a closed configuration, the ornament 100 may be hanged on a Christmas tree, and substantially blend in with other elements, thereby allowing a user to hide a small object placed in the ornament 100 in plain sight and an easily accessible location.

In one embodiment the inserts, top, and base are unitary with few if any removable portions.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. The disclosed embodiments capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope. It is intended that the scope or protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 

I claim:
 1. An ornament comprising: a base; a lid; and a weighted component: wherein said base comprises a substantially flat bottom; wherein said base and said lid are each substantially hemispherical; and wherein said base and said lid are connected by a hinge on a rear portion of said base and said lid; wherein said weighted component is affixed to an interior portion of said base that is opposite of said hinge, such that said weighted component is a counterbalance to said lid when said lid is hingedly open relative to said base.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The ornament of claim 1, wherein said base comprises an inset mount and an inset mount base; and wherein said inset mount is configured to rest upon said inset mount base.
 5. The ornament of claim 4, wherein said lid contains an insert.
 6. The ornament of claim 5, wherein a surface of said insert and a top surface of said inset mount comprise a soft material.
 7. The ornament of claim 4, wherein said inset mount comprises one or more holes.
 8. The ornament of claim 4, wherein said base comprises a plurality mounting prongs configured to engage with said inset mount base.
 9. The ornament of claim 1, further comprising a cap, wherein said cap connects to said lid.
 10. The ornament of claim 9, wherein said cap is connected to a hanger.
 11. The ornament of claim 1, wherein when said lid and base are in a closed position, said lid rests substantially flush against the base.
 12. The ornament of claim 1, wherein said weighted component has a weight that is configured to offset a center of gravity change of said ornament that is caused by said lid hingedly opening, such that said ornament is substantially prevented from tipping over by said lid hingedly opening: and wherein said weighted component, if any less heavy, would not offset said center of gravity change of said ornament that is caused by said lid hingedly opening.
 13. The ornament of claim 1, wherein said weighted component comprises a curved surface that matingly engages with and is in contact with said interior portion of said base. 